Photography WORKSHOPs & TOURS

Japan In Winter - February 11-23rd, 2020 -- Deposit

Japan In Winter - February 11-23rd, 2020 -- Deposit

5,000.00

Join award winning photographers Denise Ippolito and Paul McKenzie on a photographic adventure to Japan. One of our main subjects will be the amazing Snow Monkeys aka Japanese macaque. We will spend approximately 2 days photographing them. When we get to Hokkaido we will be staying right next door to the crane sanctuary that the Red-crowned Cranes fly into daily. We will drive to Lake Kussharo and photograph the beautiful Whooper Swans with the foggy mist from the Onsen. We will drive to Rausu to photograph Steller’s Sea Eagles from a boat. In addition to these main subjects we should have opportunities to photograph White- tailed Sea Eagles, Ural Owl, Red Fox. Limit 8, $9,499.00 based on double occupancy.

All lodging, including the Tokyo hotel on 11th, all breakfasts & dinners, ground transportation and transfers including the bus to the monkey park hotel, all entrance fees, the in-country flights are also included.

Not included: international flights to either Hanedo or Narita Tokyo airport. All lunches–most are on the run, all alcoholic beverages, laundry.

About the trip:

This trip is longer than most trips to allow for more flexibility, more time with the cranes, and our other subjects. We will supply lots of pre-trip planning and gear advice, in-the-field instruction and guidance, in addition to short introductory slide programs for each of the amazing locations. We will have the very best Japanese guide and stay at his award winning lodge. His network of local contacts and his knowledge of the weather, the area, and the birds will be invaluable for a trip like this.

The Logistics:

Arrive in Tokyo: Feb 11th, 2020 the latest. Feb 10th is safer and gives you a day to get acclimated to the time change. Your hotel room for the night of the 11th is covered.

Bus Travel to Monkey Park. We will stay at a ryokan (traditional Japanese hotel). The sense of the Japanese Culture will be everywhere as you walk through this hotel that is steeped in tradition. Our stay includes three ten course Japanese dinners; these amazing meals will be a highlight for sure! There are many traditional hot baths aka onsens on site in this 300 year old hotel.

Flexible Schedule:

February 11th- Tokyo

February 12th -Snow Monkeys

February 13th

February 14th

February 15th-Hokkaido

February 16th

February 17th

February 18th

February 19th-Rausu-day trip

February 20th -Rausu-day trip

February 21st

February 22nd

February 23rd-fly home after 4pm

*A detailed information sheet will be sent upon sign up.

Deposit Information:A non-refundable deposit of $5,000 due at sign up to hold your spot. Final payments are due July 30, 2019 via check or wire transfer only, fees on both ends are the responsibility of the participant. No credit cards accepted for any payment except deposit-thank you. Full payments are always welcomed via check or wire transfer made payable to: Denise Ippolito LLC.

Please be sure to check your calendar carefully and to check out my Workshop Policy Page.

Note: Purchasing travel insurance is strongly recommended.

*A single supplement is only available for a portion of the trip and is $1300.00 additional.

A non-refundable deposit is required to hold a spot for all Workshops, Photo-Cruises, and Photo-Safaris. Workshop balances are due 6 months before the date of the Workshop and are also non-refundable. In view of the above, please check your schedule carefully before committing. If I do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date I will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. If your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit. If not, you can secure your spot by paying your balance.

By attending one of my workshops, you agree to hold Denise Ippolito LLC, Denise Ippolito and/or A Creative Adventure and its employees and owners harmless for all personal injury or loss that may occur during or in connection with this trip. This is a self-led travel trip. You are responsible for your own safety at all times. When you sign up for a trip you certify that you are in good general health and that you do not have any physical or other disabilities that would place either you or other participants in danger. Only you know your physical abilities, do not push them beyond their capabilities. You and only you, are in charge of deciding if a location is safe for you to travel to.

I reserve the right to cancel any workshop if it does not meet the required minimum enrollment (2 under the total spots available-unless noted otherwise); if that happens all monies collected by non-cancelling parties will be totally refunded. Please note that if you cancel your space on any workshop and your cancellation forces the cancellation of that workshop – your deposit and/or total monies collected for that trip remain non-refundable. No credits are offered in lieu of non-refundable deposits.

I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance.

Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase "Cancel for Any Reason Coverage" that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check of running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance be sure to read the fine print careful even when dealing with reputable firms like TIS. There are many other companies out there that offer travel insurance, some folks use Allianz Travel Insurance Co or InsureMyTrip. With any travel insurance, it is best to check out the company thoroughly. I have no allegiance to these companies and do not make one cent from the referral or sale of the insurance.

On most trips a single supplement is available for those who desire their own room. Please note, however, that if we cannot find you a same sex roommate you will be charged the single supplement fee.

Most Workshops include morning and afternoon photography sessions totaling six hours or more (weather permitting), in-the-field instruction, a meet and greet and/or an introductory slide program on the evening before the tour begins, a critiquing session. International trips may have a different schedule.

*Non-photographer spouses/companionsMay join most North American Workshops tours for $100/day (please check to see if the workshop you want is included in this). This fee includes all slide programs and in-the-field sessions. Entry fees and additional costs are separate. Meals are not inluded. There are strict guidelines that apply.*Weather and Unforseen IssuesThere will be NO REFUND for weather delay or cancellation due to weather or any other unforseen issues before arrival, during or after the scheduled workshop. In addition Denise Ippolito LLC, Denise Ippolito and/or A Creative Adventure is not responsible for any additional costs that may be incurred by weather delays or cancellations due to weather, flight delays, visa issues or otherwise.* I reserve the right to take one or two over the limit on every workshop.* I reserve the right to bring in any assistant/assistants or co-leaders on any workshop, tour or events. I also reserve the right to find a suitable replacement for myself in the event of a tragic accident or unforeseen event that would keep me from attending the workshop, tour or event.

*New: Code of ConductEach participant shall conduct themselves in a civil manner not only to me but to each of the other participants. There will be zero tolerance for rude or aggressive behavior. I will offer one warning before you will be asked to leave the group without any refund whatsoever and it will be your own responsibility both physically and financially to make arrangements to leave the group immediately. These workshops and photo tours are meant to be fun and enjoyable to all. Please act accordingly, thank you very much.